Klarinet Archive - Posting 000154.txt from 1999/02
From: "Ray S. Whitmore" <ray@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 3 Feb 1999 21:15:00 -0000 Issue 1022
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 09:36:40 -0500
Interesting that you quoted 22 1/2" steps. That's derived from marching on a
football field. I spent many an hour being admonished that it was 8 steps to
every 5 yard marker.
I'm now in a marching/concert band comprising 18 year old kids to 80 year
old seniors. Depending on the length of the parade and how flat the terrain
is, our pace varies all over the place. The drum major is in charge and it
all depends on what other units are in front.
Our drummers (percussionists) always complain that we take shorter steps
when playing and stretch it out when not. Their problem is that they always
play and the long steps kill them.
Rather be a clarinet player!
Ray S. Whitmore
COmputer COnsulting Associates, Inc.
730 Hebron Avenue
PO Box 342
Glastonbury, CT 06033
ray@-----.com
860.657.2210 (voice) 860.659.0787 (FAX) 800.313.2210 (outside Hartford)
-----Original Message-----
From: chris & jacque mccurdy [mailto:clmccurdy@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Re: klarinet Digest 3 Feb 1999 21:15:00 -0000 Issue 1022
well..........as far as keeping time........you need to stress that marching
is not like walking.....they are going to use muscles they dont usually use
and until they get used to that it may seem awkward.......most "bad"
marchers are bad because they think all they need to do is "walk" in time.
When we walk we dont put any "umph" behind our steps......in actuality we
are somewhat lazy in our steps.......marching steps are 22 1/2" long
.....longer than a average walking step.....this seems very large to those
just learning.....but after a time it becomes 2nd nature.......youll even
find yourself covering much more ground at the mall without even
trying.........
the beat must be felt by the heel of the foot .............you have to
narrow the area that can contain a precise beat......by just saying feel it
with your feet theres too much area that little beat has to cover......where
would it hit....your toe, ball, arch......????...have them imagine a nickel
being taped toward the back part of their heel......not where it starts to
curve up....but since you taking a larger step its going to make where you
heel connects with pavement be farther back on their heel....this spot is
where they want to focus the beat.....the rest of their foot will follow
naturally......
i could go on and on but thats the basic gist.........sorry i cant help with
conducting w/o visual gesturing.........maybe someone else will be better
that that....
jacque
dsm ia
bass clarinet/cymbals
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